Green light given for $300M NT airport expansion projects

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has approved finance for the $300 million expansion of airport facilities in Darwin, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

The projects are set to benefit from a $150 million load from the NAIF, which will help Northern Territory Airports upgrade storage and energy infrastructure at the airports.

Works at Darwin International Airport include construction of cold storage, an export hub and a solar energy farm.

Alice Springs and Tennant Creek airports will also benefit from construction of solar energy farms.

An off-site multi-user battery will also be built 80km from Darwin.

The Alice Springs airport runway, taxiways and apron will be resurfaced with new runway lighting to be installed too.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matthew Canavan said the project would spark new job and economic opportunities across the NT.

“This project will deliver jobs and that is exactly what the NT needs right now. The Coalition Government’s Developing Northern Australia agenda is all about creating jobs and economic opportunity and these investments will do that in spades,” Mr. Canavan said.

“Up to 1,000 jobs are expected to be generated through the construction phase. In turn, those positions will support around 500 indirect jobs through the supply chain, and create more than 140 new ongoing positions.”

CLP Senator for the Northern Territory Nigel Scullion said local Territory businesses, including Indigenous organisations, would also benefit from the project.

“Northern Territory Airports has committed to a 10 per cent Indigenous employment target through their Indigenous Engagement Strategy, creating new work opportunities throughout the Territory,” Mr. Scullion said.